How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
GPs can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to use the law that gives patients rights to choose their healthcare providers called Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will examine your condition through a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the various areas of your life that your symptoms have an impact on. They might ask for your childhood history and school reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health, and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance then the cost of your doctor's visit should be covered. Contact your insurance company if uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are covered by your insurance. You can also request your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance you may choose to go through a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone suffering from ADHD looks like. This can be a problem when trying to establish an accurate diagnosis. A lot of medical professionals do not have the proper expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You'll have to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately identify your symptoms.
If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is especially important if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. You should consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you are uncomfortable with the one you currently have. While it is important to be comfortable with your doctor but you shouldn't be forced to accept less than what you deserve.
Your doctor could recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a clinical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social settings. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose where to receive your NHS assessments. You can pick from a list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to offer adult assessments online which can cut waiting times by a considerable amount.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who has good understanding of ADHD they might be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require a clinic interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse), which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests can be administered in conjunction with the interview. This will help to provide an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and other conditions that could influence your ADHD.
Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter to let them know that you wish to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get the template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they are refusing for any reason, it could be worth changing your GP. This is especially relevant if you intend to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP will agree to the referral, there will be a brief time before you are able to meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is vital because it will focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life today. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you've been performing in different areas of your life.
After a formal diagnosis the doctor will provide you with treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription medications. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and given a report with recommendations for continued care. If you are a student then it is likely that your specialist will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
There are Read Far more of professionals in the UK who do not have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs, nurses, and psychologists. This makes it difficult to get an assessment or access treatment. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults aren't treated, and that children get rid of it. It's not easy to find a professional who can listen and comprehend the issue.
Right to pick
If you live in England, and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have the right to choose the provider. This is called the "Right to Choose". The only requirement that a provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended to also know the waiting times of the service provider prior to calling them. You can find out more by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP.
It is important to note that GPs are general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems which includes adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need convince your GP that you should be referred by an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a doctor can make the diagnosis.
Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high you may exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different GP.
When you go for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will concentrate on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You should prepare for the interview in advance and have someone from your family present to support.
You should also seek advice from your GP to consider the options for medication for you. They might be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, however they must remember that there are a range of non-stimulant medications that can assist in managing the symptoms of ADHD. These can include methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not content waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are worried that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD appears to be (this is a growing problem particularly for women, people of color, and those who are assigned female at birth), then you can self-refer for a private assessment. The primary provider of these is Psychiatry-UK and they offer a useful guide for doing this on their website which includes templates for forms you can provide to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their site and most of them offer online diagnosis and in-person.
A private assessment will usually be slightly longer than a typical psychotherapy visit. It will also include a structured interview. The session will cover different aspects of your life and the way your symptoms affect your current performance. They will also review your symptoms in different contexts and situations. It is often helpful to have a friend or family member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and notify you of your diagnosis.
They will tell you if they believe that you are a candidate for ADHD or if they believe a different condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they do not believe you're a fit for the criteria, they will give reasons, and you can ask for a second referral.
After receiving a diagnosis, you can then decide if you want to go down the route of medication or not. You'll have to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long run.
It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they can be misleading. It is crucial to obtain a professional, impartial assessment to ensure you receive the best possible results. Based on your situation and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there could be other resources available that can help with your symptoms. For instance, if are an undergraduate, you could receive an assessment from your university. They can give you advice on reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.